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Paying for care in Maine

Getting paid to care for a family member in Maine

Yes. In Maine, a family member can be paid to give care through Home and Community Benefits for the Elderly and Adults with Disabilities. Whether a spouse can be paid depends on the program.

Respite care for family caregivers in Maine

Yes. In Maine, family caregivers can get respite through three programs on record: Respite Services (Section 19), Caregiver Respite Program and National Family Caregiver Program.

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Programs on record

How to apply

Home and Community Benefits for the Elderly and Adults with Disabilities

How to apply

Step 1: apply for MaineCare services with the Long-Term Care application. Your local Aging and Disability Resource Center or DHHS district office can help you fill it in. Step 2: if you have not already had one, call Maine's Assessing Services Agency (Maximus) for a functional assessment. It asks about the help the person needs and their finances, then decides whether a free, private face-to-face assessment is needed.

Source: Home Care (Maine Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Aging and Disability Services)Checked

Phone

1-833-525-5784

Maine's Assessing Services Agency (Maximus), for the functional assessment.

Source: Home Care (Maine Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Aging and Disability Services)Checked

Participant-Directed Option

How to apply

Apply for Section 19 services first. The Participant-Directed Option is a choice offered to members; if you choose it, your Service Coordination Agency gives you access to Skills Training, which must happen before services start and within 30 days of the referral.

Source: MaineCare Benefits Manual, Chapter II, Section 19, Home and Community Benefits for the Elderly and Adults with Disabilities (Maine Department of Health and Human Services, last updated 5/2/21)Checked

Respite Services (Section 19)

How to apply

Step 1: apply for MaineCare services with the Long-Term Care application. Your local Aging and Disability Resource Center or DHHS district office can help you fill it in. Step 2: if you have not already had one, call Maine's Assessing Services Agency (Maximus) for a functional assessment. It asks about the help the person needs and their finances, then decides whether a free, private face-to-face assessment is needed.

Source: Home Care (Maine Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Aging and Disability Services)Checked

Caregiver Respite Program

How to apply

Call 1-877-353-3771 to find your local Area Agency on Aging and start accessing services.

Source: Care Partner Supports (Maine Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Aging and Disability Services)Checked

Phone

1-877-353-3771

Connects you to your local Area Agency on Aging (Aging and Disability Resource Center).

Source: Care Partner Supports (Maine Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Aging and Disability Services)Checked

National Family Caregiver Program

How to apply

Call 1-877-353-3771 to find your local Area Agency on Aging and start accessing services.

Source: Care Partner Supports (Maine Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Aging and Disability Services)Checked

Phone

1-877-353-3771

Connects you to your local Area Agency on Aging (Aging and Disability Resource Center).

Source: Care Partner Supports (Maine Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Aging and Disability Services)Checked

Sources

How we verify explains these dates.